The number of people who come forward to donate blood are just too small as compared to the overall demand for blood to be used for the medical treatment of patients. The need for donations have always remained high. The shelf life of blood being relatively low, continuous replenishment of stocks is necessary for the blood banks. Platelets can be stored for only a week and the maximum storage time for red blood cells is only 35 days. For meeting the requirement of certain types of blood, donations from a wide variety of blood donors is necessary. If you are already a voluntary blood donor, start motivating others to join the campaign of blood donation. Save lives and light up the lives of others.
Pre donation checks
After arriving at the blood donation centre to donate blood, you will be informed about the procedure that is described in a leaflet or pamphlet. The various aspects of blood donation are briefly explained to make you aware about it. You will be able to know whether you fit the bill or not. A confidential health information form has then to be filled up. Several information about your health and lifestyle has to be provided for evaluation. This calls for complete honesty and accuracy because any wrong information can affect the evaluation and have disastrous results. If you are a first timer, you can discuss the issues with the attending personnel.
Checking for
Next, a droplet of blood is taken from your finger tip to ascertain the amount of haemoglobin in it. The substance present in red blood cells is the haemoglobin and it helps oxygen to be carried around the body. Lower haemoglobin in the red blood cells or less number of red blood cells are indicators of Anaemia. If you have low haemoglobin level, donating blood will further reduce it and aggravate the problem for you. So, even if your blood is found to be suitable otherwise, you could be disqualified from donating blood, being anaemic.
Post donation
The blood donation process should be completed within an hour. Resting for a short while after donating blood is mandatory for any blood donor. Refreshments are offered to help recoup fast and keep away any uncomfortable feeling. Smokers are advised to abstain for two hours after giving blood to avoid feeling dizzy. The possible side effects could be:
- - Almost 10% people experience a sore arm.
- - Fainting and dizziness is reported among 6-7% people.
- - About one in four person experiences bruising at the place from where the blood is taken.
Four times a year is the frequency of blood donation for men and women can donate blood three times in a year without any difficulty.
